His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Minister of Defense, witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding, strategic agreements, and advanced arms contracts during the World Defense Show, hosted by Riyadh. This step aims to enhance the capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces and raise their combat readiness, in line with the latest global military technologies.
The agreements included partnerships with major international and local companies specializing in defense and security industries. These contracts aim to transfer and localize technology, train national personnel, and provide advanced maintenance and operation services, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to developing the national defense system according to the highest international standards.
Supporting the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030
These moves come within a broader strategic framework aimed at achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes the localization of military industries. Through the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI), the Kingdom seeks to localize more than 50% of government military spending by 2030. The agreements signed at the exhibition are a key pillar in reducing reliance on foreign imports and enhancing the Kingdom's strategic independence in the defense sector.
World Defence Exhibition: An international platform for innovation
The World Defence Exhibition, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, is a prominent global event that attracts leading figures in the defense and security sector from around the world. The exhibition provides an ideal environment for networking between manufacturers, investors, and decision-makers, showcasing the latest interoperability solutions across the five domains of defense: land, sea, air, space, and cybersecurity. The presence of the Minister of Defense and his signing of these agreements underscores Riyadh's pivotal role as a regional and international hub for defense decision-making.
Economic and strategic impact
The importance of these agreements extends beyond the military sphere, encompassing a broad economic and developmental impact. By obligating global companies to transfer technology and invest within the Kingdom, the defense sector contributes to creating thousands of job opportunities for Saudi youth, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in supply chains, and boosting non-oil GDP. These steps highlight the Kingdom's transformation from a consumer of military technology to a partner, manufacturer, and innovator in this vital field.
